Sabalenka caused a sensation with her 2.7 billion VND jewelry set at the opening day of Roland Garros 2026.
World number one Aryna Sabalenka not only won convincingly in the first round of Roland Garros but also drew attention by wearing a diamond and gemstone accessory set worth £76,000.
Aryna Sabalenka not only solidified her position as a contender for the 2026 Roland Garros title with a dominant victory but also made a statement of luxurious fashion. In her opening match on Philippe-Chatrier court on May 26th, the top seed defeated Jessica Bouzas Maneiro (6-4, 6-2) while wearing jewelry worth £76,000 (approximately 2.7 billion VND).
The epitome of fashion on the clay court.
Under the dazzling Parisian sun, Sabalenka stepped onto the stage in a daring, sheer, maroon super-suit. However, the real highlight was the exquisite diamond and garnet jewelry set, custom-designed by the New York brand Material Good.
The jewelry set includes two necklaces and a pair of white gold earrings, composed of 15.6 carats of diamonds and 136.5 carats of garnets. Notably, the value of these accessories is even higher than the £75,000 prize money that her opponent Jessica Bouzas Maneiro received for her efforts in the first round. Sabalenka revealed that she considered wearing another necklace worth £34,000 but decided to put it aside for fear of "overloading" her on the court.
Winning mentality and professional strength
Despite her considerable wealth, the Belarusian tennis player maintained her devastating form. Her thunderous shots from the baseline remained a powerful weapon, allowing her to completely control the match against her Spanish opponent. Sabalenka confidently asserted that her stunning appearance helped her perform better: "If I feel beautiful, I will play better and my mood will be absolutely fantastic."
When asked about security concerns while wearing expensive jewelry, the 28-year-old beauty humorously shared that she always has a reliable security team including her fiancé, trainer, and a Jujitsu-skilled physiotherapist, which makes her feel absolutely safe in the City of Lights.
The paradox of prize money and the response from Wimbledon.
Sabalenka's extravagant appearance immediately sparked controversy among experts. She is currently one of the most active advocates for Roland Garros to increase its prize money by £25 million (equivalent to 22% of the tournament's revenue). The fact that a star is calling for increased prize money while wearing jewelry worth a fortune to lower-ranked players has attracted significant public attention.
Following her successful debut, Sabalenka plans to continue this elegant style at the next Grand Slam tournaments of the year, Wimbledon and the US Open. Sources indicate that Wimbledon organizers will not make things difficult for her, despite the tournament's reputation for strict all-white dress code.
